Space-Class Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard with Improved Performance for GNSS Systems

T. McClelland, I. Pascaru, I. Shtaermann, C. Varuolo, C. Szekeley, J. Zacharski, O. Bravo, J. White and D. Wilson

Abstract:	Global navigation satellite constellations such as the European Galileo, Russian GLONASS, and the USA Global Positioning Systems (GPS) employ atomic frequency standards for precision time-keeping and stable frequency generation. In addition, military jam-resistant communications satellite programs such as Milstar and its follow-on Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) are fitted with atomic standards that function as master oscillators for all frequency and timing derivation. Frequency Electronics, Inc. has developed a rubidium atomic frequency standard (RAFS) over the last 5 years for use in the most demanding satellite applications. A primary goal of this effort is a Rb standard capable of frequency stability noise floor (Allan deviation) of ?y(?) < 2 x 10-14 for averaging times of up to 2,000,000 seconds (~3 weeks). The design of this RAFS unit is discussed. A summary of performance results achieved to date is also provided, including the results of a 5 month test on one RAFS unit, in vacuum, at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting November 14 - 17, 2011 Hyatt Regency Long Beach Long Beach, California
Pages:	325 - 340
Cite this article:	McClelland, T., Pascaru, I., Shtaermann, I., Varuolo, C., Szekeley, C., Zacharski, J., Bravo, O., White, J., Wilson, D., "Space-Class Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard with Improved Performance for GNSS Systems," Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Long Beach, California, November 2011, pp. 325-340.
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